The Finding (8 page)

The man clasped his hands together cheerfully and then continued on, “So, let’s start with me. My name is Mr. Cohrbin. I’m two hundred and eighteen years old and I live here in Aldehren. I’m originally from Aenaith in the northern part of the province and I first came here to teach about fifty years ago. My favorite hobbies are hiking, gardening and reading. My favorite color is brown.”

Jahrra smiled inwardly, feeling optimistic for the first time since arriving at the schoolhouse. The rest of the class soon followed suit, and everyone gave their names, where they lived and their favorite things to do. Jahrra explained that she lived in a small stone cottage on the Great Sloping Hill, that she lived with her parents and that they owned a small orchard. She told the class that she didn’t have a favorite color, she liked them all, and that what she liked best was starry skies, climbing trees, catching bugs and exploring.

Eydeth and Ellysian sniggered as she spoke, but luckily Jahrra didn’t hear them. Scede even opened up a little when he and Gieaun told the class that they lived with their parents on a large ranch just outside the tiny village of Nuun Esse, also on the Great Sloping Hill. They said that they loved riding horses and watching the sun set on the ocean, which they could see from the bluff’s edge.

When it came to be Eydeth and Ellysian’s turns the twins made no effort to be humble. They not only spoke of their mansion in the northern canyon of the affluent city of Kiniahn Kroi but also of their vacation home in Hassett Town. They mentioned how their father was the richest Resai man in Oescienne and how he owned half of the Raenyan Valley.

The twins talked about how many outfits they had a piece, or how many music lessons Ellysian had taken or how many trophies Eydeth had won for fencing, or about how many different places they’d visited. The list went on and on. Jahrra sat listening to the two, almost entranced by how much they had but annoyed at how much they still wished they had.

After introductions the day went by rather smoothly. The students helped clean out the classroom (something Ellysian and Eydeth refused to do) and then they got to decorate their tables. Jahrra thought this was absolutely wonderful and soon everyone was busy drawing and gathering together what they would be keeping on their desks.

Around mid-afternoon the class let out and the students went outside to wait for their rides home. The carriages that had brought the twins and all the other students were waiting as they emerged. Ellysian and Eydeth climbed into the lead carriage with everyone else left to fill up the others.

Jahrra wondered why the rest of the class rode in these carriages and Gieaun quickly explained, “They’re just showing off. Most of them live nearby. Eydeth and Ellysian are just trying to get them to be their friends by bringing them to school.”

Jahrra stared after the retreating wagon train, glad that the mean children were finally gone. A few minutes later Mr. Cohrbin emerged from behind the stone building on his horse. “You three haven’t been forgotten, have you?”

His voice was kind once again and Jahrra replied, “We’re waiting for Master Hroombra, he should be here any minute.”

Just as Jahrra finished explaining the great dragon came clambering up the narrow path, detaching himself from the shadows he matched so well. As soon as he saw their teacher, Hroombra gave a great, wide smile.

“Ahhh, Cohrbin! I was hoping you’d be the school master again this year. How did the first day go?”

Cohrbin nodded at the children and led his horse over to where Hroombra stood. “If it isn’t Hroombramantu, out and about! I haven’t seen you in ages.”

He looked genuinely glad to see Hroombra and Jahrra grinned happily knowing that her teacher didn’t have nasty things to say about him like her classmates had.

“I don’t often get out, only on special occasions and a first day of school is a special occasion.” Hroombra beamed at the children and they smiled right back.

Hroombra and Cohrbin chatted for a little while longer, discussing everything from news around Oescienne to the politics of the classroom. The three friends merely played around the little yard as the adults spoke, grateful that they were free to explore without the twins to make malicious comments. Hroombra watched them out of the corner of his eye, glad to see Jahrra in higher spirits since the morning.

“So, tell me Hroombra,” Cohrbin asked quietly as he leaned forward in the saddle of his edgy horse, “any news from outside the province?”

Hroombra turned his amber eyes back on his friend. He’d known Cohrbin for a long time and he knew he could be trusted.

“As far as we know, the Tyrant remains dormant. There has been little change in the east but there’s a strangeness hanging in the air, a sensation I can’t describe. Almost like the prickling feeling one senses before lightning strikes. I don’t know if it bodes ill will or good.”

“Perhaps the time is drawing near for the child of the prophecy to be born,” Cohrbin whispered cautiously, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. “There has been much talk in the north about it you know. More than usual, so I’ve heard.”

Hroombra stiffened but not so much for Cohrbin to notice.
Have the elves of Crie been careless?
he wondered with icy fear. His alarm only intensified when Cohrbin spoke again. The Resai man had settled back in the saddle and was now gazing casually at the children.

“Now I know the two dark haired children, their parents raise sheep and horses on the Sloping Hill. But the blonde girl I’ve never seen before.”

A casual change of subject in Cohrbin’s eyes perhaps, but not in Hroombra’s. His friend’s first mention of the prophecy and now this curiosity about Jahrra, as innocent as it may seem, made Hroombra even more uncomfortable. He trusted Cohrbin, but not nearly enough to convey to him the deep secret he kept.

The dragon took a deep breath, “She came to two friends of mine as an infant. Her parents died shortly after her birth but she’s been a blessing to my friends Lynhi and Abdhe.” Hroombra kept his answer short and simple.

“Well, I have my hands full with the usual privileged, troublesome children this year but those three are definitely a delight to have in the class.”

Hroombra breathed a mental sigh of relief, grateful that Cohrbin’s interest in Jahrra didn’t linger. The two adults spoke for a little while longer until the children came skipping up, ready to be on their way home. The group said their goodbyes and soon they were once again atop Hroombra and heading south. Once outside of Aldehren the three children spilled everything about their first day at school.

“Our teacher is great!” Jahrra remarked. “He let us decorate our desks.”

“Yeah, and we got to draw and learn about the history of Oescienne. Did you know that humans used to live here?” Scede said in wonderment, no longer the timid boy he had been earlier that day.

“Really?” Hroombra smiled, knowing all too well that they had. “You don’t say.”

“It was fun,” Gieaun added, “except for the twins.”

And then the three went into great detail about Ellysian and Eydeth and how they had turned the whole class against them.

“Don’t worry, young ones. Most of them will grow out of it and learn that there’s nothing wrong with being different from one another. Just have patience.”

“Like when growing a beard!” Jahrra piped, remembering what the mailman had once said.

“What?” asked Hroombra in bewilderment.

Jahrra told him all about the beard and the conversation soon returned to more pleasant talk. By the time the dragon and the children arrived at the Castle Guard Ruin it was late afternoon and Dharedth was already waiting for them at the top of the hill.

“So, how did the first day go?” he asked with much eagerness.

“It was alright,” Jahrra said simply.

“Alright? That’s it?”

“The other children weren’t very nice,” Gieaun explained solemnly.

“Oh, I see,” Dharedth said knowingly. “Don’t you worry, they’ll soon see what wonderful children you three are, just give it time.”

Jahrra looked up, feeling a little better. Maybe Dharedth and Master Hroombra were right. Maybe their classmates just needed time to get used to school as well.

In no time the mail cart was clacking down the road carrying the new friends in the direction of home. Hroombra watched them slowly fade into the distance, looking rather grave in the rich light of the approaching sunset. He smiled as he recalled the first day Jahrra had been brought to him. She’d been all alone then, a human being in a world of Resai and Nesnan elves. He smiled once more as they turned to wave one more time before disappearing over the rise in the road, feeling truly grateful that Jahrra had made some real friends today.
They’ll be a great help to her in the coming years
, he thought soberly.

The old dragon exhaled strongly, stirring the dust upon the road and mixing it with a plume of acrid smoke. He only wished that Jaax would visit soon. The younger dragon needed to see how big Jahrra had grown and he needed to update Hroombra on news of the outside world. The conversation with Cohrbin had shaken him at first but it was good to know that there was still uncertainty about Jahrra’s existence.

The great reptile yawned and stalked into the one huge, remaining room in the Ruin. Winter was approaching and Jahrra would soon turn seven. The past six years had already gone by so quickly, Hroombra was afraid he would blink and Jahrra would be grown. He only hoped he was doing the right thing by withholding the truth from her until she was old enough to understand. As long as she was satisfied with school and her friends, however, he didn’t have to worry, at least not for now.

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Chapter Five
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Tricks and Traps and Fighting Back

Jahrra’s first day of school was definitely not what she’d expected it to be, but with the encouragement of her parents, the companionship of her two new friends, and mostly from the promise that Hroombra would teach her on her days off, she willingly faced the inhospitable Resai twins day in and day out.

To Jahrra’s great relief, the school week only lasted four days, leaving the last day free for her lessons with Hroombra. The old dragon would help her refine her writing and reading skills and teach her about the history of Ethoes through stories of times long past. Jahrra always looked forward to these lessons; at the Castle Guard Ruin she didn’t have to fear the laughter and taunting of her classmates.

On weekends, Jahrra would either help out at home or go over to Gieaun’s and Scede’s ranch where she would learn how to ride horses. Learning to ride quickly became Jahrra’s favorite thing to do, especially since it meant spending time with her two best friends.

Wood’s End Ranch was the largest piece of land on the western end of the Sloping Hill, easily a hundred acres if not more. It was called Wood’s End Ranch because it backed into the Wreing Florenn on its southern side. Jahrra didn’t hesitate to mention that her own orchard met the feared forest and asked her friends if they’d ever seen the terrible beast that was said to live there.

“Father has told us many stories about the monsters of Oescienne, but we’ve never actually seen them,” Scede said matter-of-factly.

Jahrra looked at him with wide eyes, too distracted by the fact that there were many monsters living in Oescienne to be disappointed that he already knew about the one in the Wreing Florenn.

“Don’t worry, if you ever get to go camping with us I’m sure father will tell you all about them,” he continued after seeing Jahrra’s reaction.

Jahrra crossed her arms and squished up her face, “I would like to hear about them,” she claimed. “I need to know what exactly is in the Wreing Florenn. I’m going to go looking for the monster someday when I’m older and braver.”

Gieaun looked simply terrified at this comment but Scede, surprisingly, looked as if he’d nurtured the same idea for a long time. After much pleading and teasing Gieaun said that she’d only go with them when they were much older and only during broad daylight. The children laughed at their bravado. If only they could be so bold at school. The schoolhouse was Jahrra’s least favorite place to be since it had become a place of both emotional and physical conflict inside and outside the building.

Her first few months studying with the other children had proven a challenge, especially with the twins and their devotees. They always had something negative to say to her and the younger students dying to be part of the popular crowd would chuckle and snigger in support of a recent slight to prove they disliked Jahrra just as much as the twins did.

Eydeth and Ellysian often tried to corner her on her own, but luckily they often failed since Scede and Gieaun were always at her side. Jahrra was able to ignore them most of the time since she wasn’t completely alone, but they always found a way to get to her. She was convinced that if Eydeth and Ellysian hadn’t been part of the class her other classmates wouldn’t be so eager to ostracize her.

“It’s because they’re afraid of Eydeth and Ellysian,” Gieaun often told her. “Not because they don’t like you.”

Jahrra tried to take this to heart, but with or without supporters, the twins were always looking for ways to ruin her day. Very early on they noticed that Jahrra, Gieaun and Scede liked to sit in a far secluded corner of the schoolyard. Before the first week was over, the twins had made it their place to sit during recess.

When Jahrra and her friends moved to another location, they followed. At first Jahrra had been intimidated by this tactic, but soon she learned to avoid her classmates by lingering inside after class had been dismissed. Once she saw where Ellysian was going she’d head in the opposite direction with Gieaun and Scede.

“Thank goodness Ellysian is so snooty,” Gieaun whispered as they headed for their favorite corner of the yard for the first time in weeks.

“I know. She’s so busy talking about how wonderful she is that she didn’t even notice us!” Jahrra said, unable to conceal a smile.

Scede merely nodded, trailing after the two girls quietly as they crept across the yard. He may have opened up at home but he barely ever said a word at school.

Jahrra knew that if she remained in the shadows and didn’t draw attention to herself, she could usually make it through the day. But no matter how hard she tried she never could quite shake them off for good. If Ellysian ever came down from her imaginary castle or if her horrible brother had the notion to realize they hadn’t tortured Jahrra and her friends in a while, the tables would turn.

Eydeth had taken up the sport of hunting the “Dragon Dung Dweebs” as Jahrra, Gieaun and Scede had come to be known. While his sister sat at the lunch tables crowing about her six white ponies, Eydeth would sneak off, leaving the main crowd of children in order creep up on Jahrra and her two best friends. He would sneak up behind the great granite rock they sat on and listen quietly to their conversation, waiting for them to say something he could tease them about.

One particularly awful incident occurred the day Jahrra told Gieaun and Scede about the nightmare she’d had over the weekend.

“It was terrible! Strange men came to the Castle Guard Ruin and started teasing and throwing things at Master Hroombra,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “I had Nida and Pada take me to the Ruin first thing the next morning to make sure he was alright.”

Jahrra was sitting on top of the flat, cold granite, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as the chill of the stone combined with the chill she felt from the image of the dream. Suddenly, Eydeth jumped out from behind the stone, nearly causing the three of them to tumble to the ground from fright.

“Ha-ha!” the evil boy chirped, pointing a menacing finger in their direction. “The Dragon Dung Dweebs are over here crying about that stupid lizard!”

Before the stunned friends could comprehend what was happening, Ellysian had them surrounded by her band of followers. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Jahrra watched and listened helplessly as the entire class, except for maybe five or so students her own age, closed in and maliciously chanted, “The Three D’s the Three D’s, nothing more than babies!” over and over again.

Jahrra turned bright red and Gieaun and Scede moved in closer to her. This wasn’t the first time that Eydeth had snuck up on them, but Jahrra decided right then and there it would be the last. After Mr. Cohrbin came out to break up the commotion, Jahrra and her two friends remained on the rock for a little while longer.

“I’ve had it!” she fumed. “How dare he? I only wanted you two to know about that dream!”

Jahrra allowed one last tear of anger to run down her face, burning her skin like acid. Gieaun and Scede put their arms around her to comfort her and Jahrra took a deep breath.

“I know what to do,” she said stoically after calming a bit. “I’m going to trick Eydeth, just like he tricks us. I’m going to build a mud trap and see how he likes to get caught!”

Gieaun was surprised at Jahrra’s sudden thirst for vengeance. “Oh, Jahrra, do you think that’ll work? What if he tells on us and we get in trouble?”

“It has to work,” Jahrra insisted. “And I don’t care if we do get in trouble!”

During the next week they worked quietly on Jahrra’s plan. They dug a hole behind their granite perch and slowly filled it with water from the school’s well, making a muddy, boggy mess at the bottom of it. Gieaun and Scede even gathered some rotting vegetables from their garden to make the mud even nastier.

Finally they covered the gaping hole with branches and leaves and simply waited for Eydeth to taunt them again. They didn’t have to wait long. Two days after they finished their trap they got their chance. Eydeth snuck up on them again and started teasing them, but this time the three friends were prepared.

“That’s right,” Jahrra said, shaking nervously, “we are the Dragon Dung Dweebs, and here’s some dung to prove it!”

She scooped up a prepared blob of muck off the top of their granite slab and launched it at Eydeth, watching in delighted horror as it splacked against his white uniform shirt. Eydeth looked down at the black muck sticking to his chest in hollow shock. He turned his squinty eyes up at Jahrra, his alarm slowly turning to anger as his face flushed red.

“You’ll pay for that Nesnan!” he breathed and rushed at the low stone.

“Quick, down the other side!” Jahrra hissed giving Scede and Gieaun a shove.

By now the whole class had noticed that something unusual was going on in Jahrra’s corner of the yard. Eydeth wasn’t chanting like he usually did after scaring the Dweebs. Instead, he was shouting and scrambling up the rock. Jahrra, Gieaun and Scede slid down the back of their boulder, side-stepping their mud trap and secretly hoping that Eydeth didn’t notice.

As they clambered up the trunk of the nearest oak tree, Eydeth heaved himself on top of the rock and it wasn’t long before he jumped down the side to follow them. He sprinted to catch up to his prey and as he made the last leap to snatch at Gieaun’s ankle, his own feet went crashing through the thatching that hid the mud-lined hole.

The angry boy made a strangled screaming sound as he tripped face first into a trough of sticky, smelly mud. Jahrra watched breathlessly from a high branch in the tree as the boy started screaming and crying, his own sister reluctant to help him up out of the trap. Jahrra had to stifle a laugh as Eydeth dragged himself out of the filth, looking like an angry, muddy rat. The class sniggered and laughed at the fuming boy who was carrying on and on about how Jahrra and her friends had thrown mud at him.

“Honestly, Eydeth,” Ellysian said, her arms crossed and her face twisted in disgust, “you fell into the mud, you didn’t have it thrown at you!”

Ellysian and the rest of the children slowly moved away, hiding their giggles as the filthy boy gaped and bellowed at them.

Jahrra, Gieaun and Scede were beside themselves with glee.

“At least he should leave us alone for a while,” Scede said between giggles.

“Or he’ll be twice as mean,” Gieaun added nervously.

“Either way,” Jahrra laughed, “it was worth it!”

Though the attack on Eydeth hadn’t completely ended the assaults from either of them, it had put a dent in their dominance over Jahrra and her friends. They seldom ever came around the boulder any longer and only harassed Jahrra if she wandered too close to their side of the schoolyard. Whenever their behavior was particularly nasty however, Jahrra simply recalled what it had felt like to throw the ball of mud at Eydeth. That pleasant memory was usually enough to get her through a tough day.

Jahrra gratefully welcomed the winter break when it finally came, thrilled to have a long vacation away from the tension at school. She was able to enjoy her very first birthday party with her two best friends, and Gieaun and Scede were even allowed to stay the night.

“I can’t believe she is already seven years old,” Lynhi commented to Hroombra as they watched the three companions chase each other around the orchard pretending to hunt the wild beasts of the forest. “It seems just yesterday she was a baby.”

“It’s amazing how quickly the time goes by,” Hroombra agreed solemnly. He’d dropped by for the day to wish Jahrra a happy birthday and to tell her a special birthday tale, one about unicorns.

Like all good things, however, the much appreciated time away from school eventually came to an end. The first several days back at the schoolhouse went well but it wasn’t long before the twins were back into the habit of tormenting Jahrra.

“Nesnan girl,” Ellysian chirped the second week back, “we hear that you live in a house that’s as small as a dwarf’s basement.”

They’d dropped the phrase “Dragon Dung Dweebs” and were singling Jahrra out by simply referring to her as the ‘Nesnan’, ignoring Gieaun and Scede completely. Jahrra couldn’t possibly imagine why two seven year olds, who should be more concerned with playing tag and hide-and-go-seek, would put so much effort into tormenting someone else. Her mother and father and Hroombra had always said that all the peoples of Oescienne were equal, but for some reason the twins didn’t think so.

When the name calling started to wear off they moved on to more cruel tactics. For instance, they still found it shocking that Jahrra was being tutored by a dragon and didn’t hesitate to make their disapproval known, in less than kind terms of course.

One morning, Jahrra was telling Gieaun and Scede about her lesson with Hroombra the weekend before.

“Have you ever heard of semequins!” she breathed excitedly, thinking she was out of earshot of the evil twins. “Master Hroombra told me all about them. They’re the most amazing creatures! He told me that they’re horses that have a unicorn mother or father!”

“You mean you didn’t know about semequins?”

To Jahrra’s great annoyance, Eydeth had heard her. “How dumb can you be!” he laughed. “My father owns over a hundred of them, the best in the land!”

Gieaun and Scede gave Eydeth an annoyed look and swiftly made efforts to ignore him, but it was what he said next that captured their attention. He was irritated that his initial insult missed its target, so he tried a different tactic.